The Lahti pistols - a brief history

[Jonathan1969]

Thank you Paladin! My father was in the Israeli Army in the 1950s, and left me his L-35 when he died (along with his S&W series 59, which is nowhere NEAR as fun to shoot!). I've been looking for information on it, and have found quite a few bits and pieces online. Your research has filled in a lot of the gaps for me!

I'm not quite enough of a history buff to worry about being 100% accurate, but I am trying to decide 1) If it's important to me to have a holster for this gun, and 2) If it matters to me whether it's the Israeli (canvas?) one he would have carried, the Finnish leather holster originally intended for the L-35, or the Swedish M40 holster which should fit it just fine, but isn't the OEM, as it were.

The main thing I'm thinking is that, if I AM going to get a holster, it would be nice to have the Finnish model that carries two mags, a loader, and the cleaning tool, as well as having loops on the back for a regular belt. I guess there's no hurry on this particular purchase, since holsters aren't on the list of items to ban in the near future

I welcome any other thoughts people have on the merits of the different holsters that fit this fine, fine gun!

 

[ordnanceguy]

I seem to recall Lahtis for sale by Ye Olde Hunter and others circa 1959-60 along with Lugers, P-38s, 1911s and BHPS. All going for about $39.95.

An old but interesting thread.

The Lahti pistols were being sold in the USA for $50 back in 1950, which was a lot of dough back then. However, they did include a holster. See the ad below from 1950.

 

[tsmgguy]

Older thread, I know, but the last (4th) variation of the Finnish L-35 is Valmet marked and has no shoulder stock mount. Most (but not all) have no loaded cartridge indicator. It's as slick and well finished as ever, though. I own one, along with its Finnish holster, which looks like an oversize P.08 holster. The leather was originally black, but has been dyed a dark purple, denoting border guard service.

 

[BigBill]

I picked a M40 lathi in 9mm luger "D" Denmark pistol made by husqvarna.
Came with three mags, holster and cleaning rod. Haven't shot it yet. But it's a sweet looking pistol. My online dealer had two more but they sold quick.

 

[Drifter Mike]

Swedish Model 40

Just traded for one ( serial Number D5624 ) so I am guessing it is Danish Police issue. Any one know what the brass tag with 29 stands for? Condition is about 90% or better and has a holster and 2 mags. No cleaning rod or mag tool

 

[Duster340]

Thanks for sharing the history OP.

My Dad picked up a Husky model back in the 70's (my brother has it now), it was the first 9mm we ever shot as kids. And we shot the snot out of that thing with nary a hiccup. Great pointing pistol, accurate as heck. And quite unique.

 

[Qball]

Thank you Duster for calling it by it's correct name

"M40 Husqvarna" is made in Sweden by Husqvarna
"L35 Lahti" is made by Valtion Kivääritehdas (VKT) in Finland

Huge different, at least here in Scandinavia

By the way, i have heard that the L35 is a better pistol than the M40

 

[swissdagger]

Looks like a lot of the 4th Variation Lahti L-35 are just on the market.
I heard they are imported from Israel.
I picked up two of them.(-:

 

[Darkenfast]

Piece of trivia for you: there was a gap between the time that Sweden withdrew the Lahti from service for safety reasons (1986) and the adoption of the Glock (1988). The M1907 (both FN and Husqvarna-manufactured Browning/FN 1903s), was brought out of reserve as a stop-gap. The 9X20mm Browning cartridge was more powerful than the .380ACP (110 gr. at about 1050 fps), but eventually lost out to the more capable 9mm Parabellum. The 1903/07 was a chunky, long-barreled blowback, and while it worked quite well, was the least successful of FN's Browning pistols. Source: Vanderlinden - "FN Browning Pistols".

 

[deadin]

What are the Danish contract ones going for?? I picked one up, complete with holster, 3 mags, rod and tool, for $450.00 just 3 or 4 months ago. (at Cabelas no less)